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CRAZY NELL, 



A Ballad 



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CRAZY NELL, 

A Ballad; 
And Other Poems : 

l :C FIONA TEL V D EDICA TED 1 

Hiss flatj J- (ifllbsformtjl 

— A')'' IJER FRIEND, — 

New - York : 

Press of Bedell & Brother, 

1879. 



.H77 



Copyright by Mary H. Ewer, 1879. 



Crazy Nell. 



T 



HE town-folk know my little hut: 
They call me "Crazy Nell;" 
oft they send their friends to hear 



And 

The tale I have to tell 



II. 



Wei 



well; 'tis man}- a weary year. 
Full fifty or niQre I ween — 
But pray take seats; for the town's afar. 
And the way is rough between. 

III. 

Full fifty years, or more perhaps, 

I've risen at sunrise, 
And mounted yonder ragged rock, 

To watch the sea and skies. 



IV. 

L'm here all seasons, warm and cold; 

I wander far and near; 
I'm often out at dead of night; 

Yet nothing do I fear. 

V. 

You see these white and hoary locks ? 

They once were lon£ and dark; 
And I was then a lightsome maid, 

As happy as a lark. 

VI. 

I dwelt with my old father 

Not very far from town, 
And two young hardy brothers, 

With hands and faces brown. 

VII. 
I was their pet and darling; 

And often they would say, 
" We'll work and labor for her, 

And she'll be rich some day." 

VIII. 
My face was soft and lily white; 

My hair was long and brown; 
And not a prettier, bonnier lass 

Lived in the little town. 

IX. 
The little town, the ocean here, 

And yonder woods you see, 
The sandy beach, the fields and lanes, 

Were all the world to me. 



X. 

I was a dreamy maiden, 

Good, pure, and free from care; 

And oft I'd sit alone and build 
My castles in the air. 

XI. 

Sometimes when tired of playing, 

Down on the beach I'd lie, 
To watch the tall and stately ships, 

As fast they glided by. 

XII. 

I grew as a little violet springs 

From its soft and mossy bed. 
With heart as simple as itself, 

With love and kindness bred. 

XIII. 

One day a dreadful storm arose, 

With driving sleet and roar, 
And a lordly ship from foreign lands, 

Took refuge at our shore. 

XIV. 
Both young and old did beckoning wave, 

And shout with cheerful noise. 
And soon our little town was filled 

With brave young sailor boys. 

XV. 
And when in each small humble house 

The homely board was spread. 
With welcome voices did we call 

Them in to share our bread. 



XVI. 

And when the sun was long gone down, 
Around each hearth was spent 

Much time in talk and gossiping 
Upon the great event. 

XVII. 

And soon 'twas whispered round about- 

From ear to ear it ran, — 
That on the stately ship there was 

A fair young nobleman; 

XVIII. 
That he was from a far-off shore, 

A graceful, princely lad; 
That he was tall and beautiful, 

In costly garment clad. 

XIX. 

And then in silent secrecy 

Each foolish maiden sly, 
With blushing cheeks, adorned herself, 

Lest he should pass her by. 

XX. 

They all appeared in fest-day garb, 
Their kerchiefs tied with care; 

And each young bashful maiden sought 
To make herself most fair. 

XXI. 

I dreamed and wondered silently, 

And oft I'd stretch my neck 
And look if he might be perchance 

Pacing the ship's high deck. 



XXII. 

One day 'twas hot and sultry, 

The sky was blue and clear, 
And just before the setting sun, 

Thus spoke my father dear: 

XXIII. 

"Lassie, I'm tired and weary, 
My tongue is parched and dry; 

Fetch me some water from the brook 
That runs in the wood hard by. 

XXIV. 

''And take the old carved jug, my lass, — 

And use it with great care: 
'Twas one my grand sire used to own, 

And it is rich and rare. 

XXV. 
"And do not loiter on the road, 

For the sun goes early down, 
The way is dark and lonely, 

And the brook is far from town." 

XXVI. 
An innocent, happy lass was I, 

As I merrily tripped along, 
Watching the sky above my head, 

And singing my woodland song : 

XXVII. 
"To the woods, to the woods, to the woods 

I go : 
Where the birds sing loud, and the breezes 

blow, 
Where the cooling brook doth always flow; 
To the woods, to the woods I go." 



XXVIII. 

My willing feet soon reached the grove 
Of trees both young and old, 

And very soon my jug was filled 
With water pure and cold. 

XXIX. 

I sat me down upon a rock 
Close by the running brook ; 

Here oft I dreamed my time away, 
For 'twas my favorite nook. 

XXX. 
It was a sweet, sequestered place, 

This little dell of mine; 
You'll find it now the same as then, 

Unchanged by hastening time. 

XXXI. 

A willow tree o'ershadowed me, 
And the little birds on high 

Chirped loud, as if to say they knew 
When Nell was sitting nigh. 

XXXII. 
I sat in dreamy silence, 

When I heard a step anear; 
And trembling, I turned about, 

With strange and sudden feai. 

XXXIII. 

My heart beat loud, and quickly, 

And I started to my feet, 
For a stranger stood before me, 

Whose eyes I dared not meet. 



XXXIV. 

A wondrous visage had he, 
That I ne'er had seen before, 

And something told me that he was 
The lad from foreign shore. 

XXXV. 

His hair was brown and waving, 
His eyes were heavenly blue, 

His face and hands were soft and white, 
His clothes the richest hue. 

XXXVI. 

You see, my friends, a high-born lad 

My eyes had never seen; 
And Oh ! thought I, a greater man 

Ne'er stood before a queen. 

XXXVII. 
I thought of tales I had often read 

Of princes and lovers true; 
I fancied a knight from fairyland 

Had suddenly come to view. 

XXXVIII. 
I was awed, yet greatly pleased : 

And my face was tinged with pink 
When I heard his soft vet manly voice, 
"Sweet maiden, let me drink ? 

XXXIX. 
"In rambling, I my way have lost; 

I've walked from morn till now, 
And no refreshing breezes came 

To cool mv heated brow. 



XL. 

"And thankful was I when I heard 

This little brooklet run, 
For long I've wandered searchingly 

Beneath the sultry sun. 

XLI. 

"The roads were hot and dusty, 

The way was hard to find; 
I'll take thy jug to drink from, 

If thou wilt be so kind ?" 

XLII. 

His kerchief from his neck he loosed,— 

Methinks I see him now, 
As he dipped it in the water 

To cool his heated brow. 

XLIII. 

And soon his parched and fevered lips 

Were wet with water cold, 
And wonderingly he gazed upon 

The jug, so odd and old. 

XLIV. 

And then to me he spake again: 
"Nay, hold thy head not down, 
But show me, pretty maiden, 
The nearest way to town. 

XLV. 

"And let us hasten, little maid; 

The sun has set I fear, 
The twilight shadows deepen, 

And the woods grow dark and drear. 



XLVI. 

So side by side together 

We walked, and tarried not 

Until we reached the garden 
Before our little cot. 

X'LVII. 

Then came my dear old father, 
And spoke in cheerful tone, 

"Right welcome, welcome, stranger, 
To this my humble home. 

XLVIII. 

"And wilt thou kindly come within 

And sup with us to-night ? 
'Tis growing dark, and later 

The moon will give thee light." 

XLIX. 

And so he stayed; and oft his eyes 
Were fixed upon my face — 

Ah ! friends, the memory of that night 
Long years can ne'r erase. 

L. 

And many times he visited 

Our humble little home; 
And oft we walked together, 

Through the shady woods alone. 

LI. 

Friends, he was great and gentle; 

He stole ray heart away : 
He came into my dreams by night, 

And in my thought by day. 



LII. 

One da)', while in the little wood, 

Just at the setting sun, 
We paused beside the brooklet's bank, 

To hear the water run. 

LIII. 

'Twas then he said he loved me 
His words were wild and few; 

And my bounding heart responded 
To his accents strange and new. 

LIV. 

He took my hand within his own, 
His voice was low and sweet; 

With bent head, tremblingly, I stood— 
.His eyes I dared not meet. 

LV. 

And then we hastened to the beach, 

And sat upon the sand; 
With loving eyes he ga;ed on me, 

And pressed my trembling hand. 

LVI. 

Oh ! those were dreamy, happy times, - 

Those with my lover true: 
The short days seemed like hours, 

The hours like minutes flew. 

LVII. 

But cruel, cruel time will go, 

Like birds upon the wing; 
Will fly away with happiness, 

And grief and sorrow bring. 



LVII1. 

It was a dark and dreary day, 

The fog rolled in apace; 
He whom I loved was with me, 

Hut gloomy was his face. 

LIX. 

His brow was clouded over, 
Like the sky above his head; 

And my quickly beating heart was filled 
With silent fear, and dread. 

LX. 

At hist, in g-cntle words he spoke, — 
But strange and hoarse his tone, 

When he told me that he must away, 
Back to his foreign home. 

LXI. 

".Yes, lassie, I must soon away; 

But I will come again; 
Ii may look drear to thee, maid, 

But here thou must remain. 

LXII. 
"And, lassie, see you yon high rock 

That towers above the sea ? 
When weeks and months, and years, ha 
passed, 
Sit there, and watch for me. 

LXIII. 

"And then I'll take thee with me 

Back to the foreign shore, 
And thou shalt there see wonders 

Thou ne'er hast seen before." 



LXIV. 

He talked to me of palaces, 

Of velvets I should wear, 
And that around my neck should hang 

A string of jewels rare. 

LXV. 
O, friends, the cruel torture 

Tongue never can relate ! 
Mv loving heart had never dreamed 

That such should be my fate. 

LXVI. 

In anguish sank I by his side, 

And tight I grasped his hand, 
And loud I cried, "O, leave me not ! 

My love from foreign land ! 

LXVII. 

"Why leave me sad and lonely ! 

Why break my heart !" I cried. 
"Wiry can't our gray-haired priest this day 

Make me thy happy bride ?" 

LXVIII. 

And then methinks I saw a cloud 

Pass o'er his manly brow, 
As he said, "Nay, check thy weeping; 

Let hope content thee now. 

LXIX. 

"1 tell thee, maid, I'll come again 

To make thee my own bride, 
And then the deck of yonder ship 

Shall sec us side by side. 



LXX. 

"The ship must take but me alone- 
Back to the foreign shore; 

And then in time will I return, 
To see thy face once more." 

LXXI. 

And thus he left me, weeping; 

He left me sad and pale; 
And that eve, as the sun went down, 

I saw his vessel sail. 

LXXII. 

1 sat on yon high rock, friends, 

To watch him out at sea: 
To that he pointed, when he said, 
"Sit there, and watch for me." 

LXXIII. 

1 watched his white and fleecy sails, 

Till I could see no more 
Of the statelv ship that bore mv love 

Bark to the foreign shore. 

LXXIY. 
My heart was sad and dreary, 

That once was free from care; 
And ray dear father never knew 

That love was lurking there. 

LXXV. 
My face grew pale and mournful, 

And I was still and staid; 

Oft spoke my father anxiously, 

"What ails our I onnv maid? 



LXXVI. 

'Where are the roses from her checks, 
The sunlight from her brow? 
Where is the light and springing step ? 
They all have vanished now.' 1 

LXXVII. 

And as the months and years rolled by, 

My lone heart lighter grew; 
I thought on his promise to come again, 

And I felt that he'd be true. 

LXXVIII. 

I ne'er forgot his loving words, 
"Sit there and watch for me;" 
So on yon rock each day I sat, 
With face turned to ards the sea. 

LXXIX. 

•kec a hopeml eagerness, 
Looked .ill my eyes grew dim; 
I ca r ed not for my "own 1 eon's blood: 
I c. cd for naugh 

And when my lied, 

And broth s 
Here to nr ime, 

And bi s hut yon see. 

LXXXJ. 

And every day God gives me strength — 

As I have said before, 
I've sat and watched for him I love 

Some fifty years or more. 



LXXXII. 

His face perchance is wrinkled; 

His locks no doubt are gray; 
But still I dearly love him, 

For him alone I pray. 

LXXXIII. 

Sometimes I'm weary and lonely, 
And my heart grows faint and sore r 

But still I'm watching, watching, 
For my love from foreign shore. 

LXXX1V, 

And when I look on yon high rock, 

That towers above the sea, 
I'm thinking still upon the words, 
"Sit there and watch for me." 



Unrequited Love. 

OH ! that dull, that silent aching, 
Oh ! the thoughts I dare not speak, 
Oh ! that deeply rooted fire, 
Let me weep, O, let me weep. 



II. 

Scalding tears no comfort bring, 
Still the heart will anguish keep ; 

Thither come, O, Dreamland Angel, 
Let me sleep, O, let me sleep. 

III. 

Now the loved one comes before me, 
Now prepares her flight to take ; 

Fly away, O, Dreamland Angel, 
Let me wake, O, let me wake. 

IV. 

Here on earth God gives not one spot, 

Where I for relief can fly ; 
Father of the Heavenly Kingdom, 

Let me die, O, let me die. 



My Billie Boy and I 

?r THVAS in the happy spring-time, 
1 When young hearts dance with joy, 

While sporting on the village green, 
I met my Billie Boy. 

II. 

And when the chill winds 'gan to blow, 
And autumn leaves were dead, 

My manly Bill Boy and I 
So happily were wed ! 



III. 

We cared not for the chill wind, 
Nor clouds that tilled the sky: 

Our sun was with each other. 
My Billie Boy and I. 

IV. 

The winter sped, the snow was gone, 
The winds were no more chill. 

And in the merry month of Maw 
My Billie Boy took ill. 

V. 

Then anxiously I nursed him 
With love and tender care, 

But He that ruleth thought not fit 
My Billie Boy to spare. 

VI. 

And so with bursting, bleeding heart, 
And eyes raised up to God, 

I laid my darling Billie Boy 
Beneath the heavy sod. 



Tears. 



( A OME, little sparkling drops, 
j To soothe my pain : 
I need you, as the blooming flowers 
The summer rain. 



II. 

Fall one by one upon my 

Tight-clasped hands, 
And help to loose my heart 

From sorrow's bands. 

III. 

Through silent, crystal drops 

I look above 
To Him, the God of Mercy 

And of Love ; 

IV. 
And as the prayer ascends, 

And tears flow fast, 
The heart finds comfort, peace 

And calm at last. 



Little Mildrd. 



WHO is it so sweetly singing, 
Warbling blithe upon the stair, 
Sunny smile and rosy cheek, 
Eyes of blue and golden hair ? 



II. 

Running swiftly through the hall, 
Peeping slyly through the door, 

Tripping softly, ever graceful, 
Fairylike across the floor? 

III. 

Talking fast, with childlike gestures, 
Perched upon her father's knee ; 

Baby questions, simple answers ; 
'Tis a picture fair to see. 

VI. 

Oh, my darling little Mildred ! 

May God bless her in this life ; 
And may sorruw ne'er approach her; — 

Keep her, God. from worldly strife. 



V. 

Lying on a bed of roses, 

Little hands across her breast, 

White flowers scattered in profusion, 
Sleeping in earth's last, long rest. 

VI. 
Gone the merry voice we heard 

Before her heart ha 1 ceased to beat ; 
Gone the patter on the staircase 

Of the little babv feet. 



VII. 

Oh, my darling little Mildred ! 

Keep her, God, upon Thy Breast ; 
Bid the Angels shield and guard her, 

Till I lie in earth's last rest. 



My Fortune. 



TWO loving eyes to gaze in mine ; 
A manly heart to call my own ; 
A face where sunsnine ever dwells, 

Where frowns and dark looks are un- 
known. 

II. 
Only a little cherub face, 

Two little eyes of heavenly blue ; 
Two little soft, white baby hands ; 

Two dimpled cheeks of rosy hue. 



III. 

A little soul gone Heavenward, 
Safe resting on the Saviour's Breast 

Awaiting me with outstretched arms 
Until I lav me down to rest. 



Christmas Song. 



COME men and maidens, shout with 
joy! 
Hail, hail the Son of Man is born, 
Within a building rough and rude, 
Of Mary dear, this earl)' morn. 

II. 

No pomp and glorv with Him come, 
No crown upon His sacred head ; 

But born of lowly peasant girl, 
And laid in lowliest of bed. 

III. 

Within the manger lies He now, 
The Holy Mother o'er Him bends ; 

And with a loving reverence, 
The Holiest of Holies tends. 

IV. 
Come, gaze upon His infant face. 

So full of sacred tenderness ; 
He comes to free from death by sin, 

To save, to sanctify, to bless. 



V. 

And, lo, the three Kings from the east 
Come, guided by the wondrous star, 

And kneel before the Holy Child, 

With gold, with incense, and with myrrh. 

VI. 
With grateful heart and bended knee, 

Come let us loud our voices raise, 
With Angels hovering o'er the Babe, 

In song of thanks and song of praise. 



My Darlings. 

TWINS they were, my darlings two, 
The little sisters fair, 
My Mabel and my Bessie, — 
A happy, loving pair. 

II. 
Two little flaxen, curly heads, 

Four little eyes of blue, 
Two little pairs of rosy cheeks, 

Two natures pure and true. 



III. 

They only lived six summers — 

A short but happy life, — 
And then they left this weary world 

Of many cares and strife. 

IV. 
First went my darling Bessie ; 

And Death scarce closed her eyes, 
Before my little Mabel left 

This world for Paradise. 

V. 

Their little pure and unstained souls 
Flew side by side to God ; 

And we on earth their bodies laid 
Beneath the heavy sod. 

VI. 
I've here their little playthings, 

Which I hold with sacred care, 
For dearer are they all to me 

Than costly jewels rare. 

VII. 
Two little hobby-horses, which 

Oft they'd mount and ride ; 
Two little waxen dollies ; 

Two cradles side by side ; 

VIII. 

Two little sewing baskets, 
A doll's dress yet unmade ; 
I Two tiny golden thimbles 
Within their cases laid ; 



IX. 

Two little velvet chairs, set 

Beside a table small ; 
Two little baby pictures, 

On which my tear-drops fall. 

X. 

But in the Heavenly world beyond, 
They're waiting me, I know ; 

They only went before me, 
To greet me when I go. 



L 



IFE. 



HUSH, an infant's cry is sounding ! 
Grateful, happy hearts are bounding, 
At the sound. 
Children light on tip-toe treading, 
Fast the happy news are spreading 
All around. 

II. 

Hush, the marriage bell is ringing ! 
Boys in snowy vestments singing 

With the bride. 
Gone the hum of noise and talking ; 
Happy bride and groom are walking 

Side bv side. 



III. 

Hush, the funeral bell is tolling ' 
Through still air its dull sounds rolling 

Loud and clear. 
Tears from aching hearts are springing ; 
Choir the funeral hymns are singing, 

Round the bier. 



The Elopement. 



' r VlS MIDNIGHT, and the still, cold air 
1 Stirs not a leaf or twig on tree, 

And from a stately mansion steps 
A maiden, fair to see. 

II. 

Why flies she from her father's home ? 

Why will she breathe the chill night air? 
Why seeks. she thus a lonesome way, 

One yet so young, so fair ? 

III. 

No sound is made, as, like a bird, 

With noiseless step she onward hies ; 

A frightened glance she casts behind, 
As rapidly she flies. 



IV. 
Green woods and groves are passed apace 

On, on she goes, and tarries not ; 
Around her there is not a sign 

Of mansion or of cot. 

V. 

And now she hesitates — she stops ; 

She hears a sound, " At last, at last ; " 
Her lover's steed is now her seat, 

His arms around her clasped. 



A Song of the Waves. 

WE MOAN, we rise, we fall, 
From morn till even-tide ; 
We roll on the shining golden sand, 
And plash on the great ship's side. 

II. 

We tear the sail from mast ; 

We drown the sailor brave, 
And angrily to<=s from side to side, 

With a crest on every wave. 
III. 
A lad with heart on fire 

We've lured to the mighty deep ; 
And then with our rocking, and moans 

and sighs, 
Have lulled him in death's long sleep. 



IV. 

We moan, we rise, we fall ; 

We rest not night or day ; 
We gambol beneath the moon and stars, 

And under the sun's bright ray. 

V. 

One eve a prattling boy 

Flew from his mother's side. 
u The billows rock better than cradle at home 

I'll sleep there to-night ! " he cried. 

VI. 

" Come, infant, come," sang we, 
11 We'll hush thee soon to rest." 

And, while we were sighing, the innocent one 
Died on our heaving breast. 

VII. 
We played with his golden curls, 

Our foam o'er his visage swept ; 
And above us the wild wind sang its dirge, 
While the mother wailed and wept. 
VIII. 
"O, cruel, cruel sea ! 

Why toss so high and wild, 
As though thou wert glad in thy heartless 
work T 
O, give me back my child ! " 
IX. 
We moan, we rise, we fall ; f 

We rest not night or day ; 
While the Heavens are dark above us, 
Or sunbeams with us play. 



One Year Ago 

To-NlGHT. 



1CAN ser them dancing gayly 
Through the ball-room's open door : 
Bright and merry are the dancers, 
Tripping lightly o'er the floor. 

II 

But the world to me is empty, 

Sad my heart that once was light, — 

I was gay as yonder dancers 
Just one year ago to-night. 

III. 
I was there among the merry, 

With sweet Maud upon my arm ; 
And the world seemed filled with gladness, 

Free from sorrow, and from harm. 

IV. 
Merry was the dance that evening : 

Lights were burning clear and bright, 
And my Maud seemed like an angel 

In her robe of snowy white. 



V. 
Eyes that beamed like little heavens, 

Snow-white hands, and face as fair ; 
And the bright lights shone and sparkled 

In her rippling golden hair. 

VI. 

But to-night in yonder graveyard 

Deep she lies, my only love, 
Resting in earth's last, long slumber, 

While her lover mourns above. 

VII. 

All the world seems dark and dreary — 
I may wring my hands in vain, 

I may weep hot, scalding tear-drops,— 
Nothing comes to soothe my pain. 

VIII. 
Ah, that room to me is emptv, 

Though 'tis filled, and lights burn bright, 
Where I was among the merry, 

Just one year ago to-night, 



No Hope. 



HE sits in his little room alone ; 
The fire is out, the air is chill ; 
The faithful clock on the mantle-shelf 
Strikes the hour of midnight.and all is still. 



II. 

He looks at the smouldering ember-bed 
With a vacant stare, and with lips blue- 
white, 
While through the darkened room the 
moon 
And stars are shedding their silver light. 

III. 
In one thin, fevered hand is clasped 
The picture of one who is young and 
fair 
While in the other, lies moist and hot, 
A shining curl of golden hair. 

IV. 

Still silent, the clock on the mantle-shelf 
Again to her master gently speaks. 

While the scalding tear-drops, one by one, 
Roll down on his sunken, pallid cheeks. 

V. 

One — two — the little clock speaks again. 

Slowly he lifts his heavy eyes, 
Then wearily leans on the window-sill, 

And peers in the diamond-studded skies. 

VI. 

11 No hope," cry the twinkling stars above ; 
44 No hope," says the moon as she 
floats along ; 
And the cold winds stirring the tree-tops 
below, 
Are moaning and chanting the same sad 
song. 



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